“Both countries also agreed to include Vietnam in the process, as well as, to explore ways and means to increase the natural rubber usage in other new products,” Najib told reporters after hosting a luncheon in honour of visiting Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at Seri Perdana here Monday.

The prime minister and his counterpart also discussed joint development strategies for border areas which included the establishment of rubber cities to promote the naturalrubber industry of both countries.

On bilateral trade, Najib said it had always been on the uptrend except for this year.

“The downturn in the global economy and that of Thailand affected bilateral trade,” he said.

Moving forward, Najib hoped two-way trade between the two countries would increase between US$25 billion and US$26 billion versus RM78.6 billion recorded in 2013.

To further strengthen the economic ties between the countries, Najib said the neighbouring country also welcomed Malaysian investment and vice-versa.